1997 Chevrolet Silverado z71 5.7 Vortec from North America

Summary:

Though it's not the most reliable, it's still a great truck!

Faults:

I have had this truck for about two months. So far I've had to replace the entire cooling system, including the radiator and hoses, the belt, flush the system, get a new thermostat, and also replace the power steering pump. All of the sudden it has been making a very strange and loud "whirring" noise after the engine is warmed up. The noise changes pitch with the engine speed, and my mechanic thought it was the power steering pump. It was replaced, but the noise is still there. Now he thinks it might be the power steering box? Has anybody else had this problem?

General Comments:

Overall, I love my truck. I have Flowmasters and a K&N filter, and it has more than enough power, plus it sounds great! It is comfortable to drive in, and I've had it through some very serious off-road situations, and it permored extremely well for being completely stock. The 4X4 works quickly and effitiently.

8th Jan 2007, 12:52

Update:

This will be my tenth year with this truck.

I want to buy a crew cab, but with so many lemons I read about, regardless of make, I can't seem to part with this reliable rig. Since my first post, I have had; the head gasket replaced, (last warranted repair), replaced leaking rear slider that ruined my carpet, (replaced). That's it!!, unless you count tires.

This seems great to me. What more could I ask for?

Now that she's a decade, I'm worried things may start to break, but maybe not.

If I keep her, she'll definitely need some power upgrades, but I don't want to loose my 17mpg average!

8th Jan 2007, 16:14

One of my neighbors still drives a 1983 Silverado he bought new. These things are built to last forever. My in-laws own a company that uses full-size trucks and vans, and some of their fleet dates back to the mid-80's!! Lots of luck with yours, but as for the new ones not being reliable, I don't believe it. We have a 2003 GMC and at 60,000 miles it has never seen the inside of a service facility except for oil changes. GM (and Ford and Dodge too) build GREAT trucks.

Summary:

Faults:

General Comments:

Overall I always like the Chevy extended-cab... but at around 90,000 I started experiencing all kinds of mechanical problems one after the other. Now that I almost have a new truck (engine, transmisson, and all of the components that are on the front of the engine.. I am a lot lighter in the pocketbook, but still have no payment. That is good.. but the transmission and leaking intake gaskets really bothered me.